Attorney
Michael Ibrahim
Born to immigrant parents who fled their homeland in search of a better life, Michael’s life story mirrors that of many immigrants. Michael sees his parents’ stories in his clients’ stories. He acknowledges and understands an immigrant's difficulties and stresses in the United States. Michael is forthright and passionate about his work.
Michael handles various family-based immigration matters. He also handles complex inadmissibility waivers, removal defense cases, and humanitarian matters. He counsels attorneys nationwide on the immigration consequences of a criminal matter. Michael earned his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
Languages
English
Español
ܣܘܪܝܝܐ
Alyssa Marie Wood
Lead Paralegal
Alyssa is the Lead Paralegal at Ibrahim Law Office. She started her career as an Immigration Paralegal in August 2012 at another Immigration Law office in Chicago, taking a few years off in-between to start a family.
Alyssa has been at Ibrahim Law Office since 2019. She plays an integral part in the office’s family-based immigration cases. Alyssa leads the office’s Consular Processing case management. Her work also includes applications for lawful permanent residency, immigrant visa petitions, and waivers of inadmissibility like Forms I-601, I-601A, and I-212. Alyssa also works on DACA applications, citizenship cases and humanitarian immigration cases such as U Visas, T Visas, and VAWA.
Alyssa is an integral part of the work done at Ibrahim Law Office. Whether she is translating documents, coordinating evidence, drafting applications and affidavits, researching required foreign documentation, or communicating with government agencies, she is passionate about helping clients navigate the complicated immigration system.
EDUCATION
Languages
English
Español
CARA PIRAINO
Paralegal
Cara is a paralegal at Ibrahim Law Office. After earning her Master’s Degree in Middle Eastern Studies from The University of Chicago and working as an Arabic to English legal translator for several years, she began to pursue a paralegal career through Paralegal Studies courses at City Colleges of Chicago. She joined Ibrahim Law in 2024.
As an ATA-certified translator, Cara has translated evidence in major US and Canadian legal matters as well as individuals’ documents for submission to USCIS.
Cara speaks Arabic fluently and has spent significant time living, working and studying abroad, primarily in Egypt. In her free time she enjoys learning to cook new cuisines and reading about history and linguistics.
EDUCATION
Languages
English
العربية
Claudia Gutierrez Chavez
Paralegal
Claudia has been dedicated to immigration law since 2015, bringing over a decade of experience and comprehensive understanding of the legal process. As a paralegal, Claudia focuses primarily on a wide range of applications, including naturalization, Adjustment of Status (AOS), U-Visas, and VAWA cases. Claudia also spent time at a Chicago-based employment-based immigration law firm.
Beyond her years of experience, Claudia is driven by a profound passion for helping the community and making a meaningful difference in the lives of immigrants. She found her true calling in drafting client testimonial evidence, a process that allows her to connect deeply with clients, learn about their unique journeys, and ensure their voices are powerfully represented. Claudia’s work is grounded in genuine sympathy and respect for the immigration community, and she is committed to guiding clients through their legal avenues with the utmost care, dedication, and professionalism.
Languages
English
Español
Hear From Our
Clients
"One of the top immigration lawyers in Chicagoland. Michael Ibrahim is attentive, supportive, and knowledgeable. One of his best abilities is his availability. He responds to emails with attention and detail, often on the same day. Don't underestimate that in dealing with any immigration matter. He is personable; he does not simply collect fees and treat you like a client but rather like a friend. Your success is his success, and he understands that. If Michael were a surgeon, accountant, or another lawyer in any other field. I would want him. You cannot replicate him.." -Yousef S.
"My wife and I are very thankful for Micheal Ibrahim. Before we hired him, we approached many immigration lawyers over ten years to duplicate documents that were destroyed in a fire. The results were disappointing. Micheal was able to find the lost documents. My wife got her permanent residency. He was always available for us during a stressful time. We would like to thank Michael for his knowledge, professionalism, and expertise. We would definitely recommend Michael for immigration services." -Farzad D.
"Michael took over my case, which had been in immigration proceedings for many years, and I am so glad that he did. He is very professional, kept my husband, and I informed of every step of the process, and gave us the most honest and beneficial advice! Highly recommended for anyone who is in need of a great immigration attorney! Thank you again, Michael!" -Nida F.
